Door latch



March 26,` '1940. F. M, SCHLTZ 2,194,528

DOOR LATCH Filed Feb. 13, 1959 1NVENT0R.

Il" FRED M cuuurz.

/7 v ATTORNEY.

Patented Mar. 2s, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFECE.

14 Claims'.

v My invention relates to a new and useful improvement in a door latch adapted for being mounted on a door or other swingable closure,

and so arranged and constructed that when moved to one'position it will serve as an effective lock for preventing swinging movement of the door, and when moved to another position will permit the swinging of the door a predetermined distance and prevent its further swinging into open position, and when moved to another position will permit the4 free and customary swinging of the door.

It is an object of the present invention to vprovide a latch of this type which will be simple in structure, economical of manufacture, durable, compact, light, easily and quickly installed, and highly eiiicient.

I Another object of the invention is the provision of a latch of this class so constructed and arranged that it may be easily and quickly moved into position for permitting a slight open swinging of the closure and easily and quicklymoved from this position of operation to a position where l it will serve as an effective bar against open g5 swinging of the closure.

. Another object of the invention is the provisiony of a latch of this class having aslot-bearing'plate cooperating with a retaining bolt,` the relative structure of the slot and the bolt being such that the bolt may be swung out of operative engagement with the slot only when the closure is in fully closed position.

' Another object of the invention is the provision in a latch of this typeof means for retaining 35 the retaining bolt in locked position when moved Other objects will' appear hereinafter.

The invention consists of the arrangement and combination of parts hereinafterdescribed and 40, Claimed. t

erence to vthe accompanying drawing which forms a part of this specification, and in which: Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of the invenL tion showing it applied.

Fig. 2 is a top plan viewof the invention showin'g it applied. i

Fig. 3 is a sectional view,

ltaken on line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

' Fig. 4 is a View similar to Fig. 2 showing the retaining bolt moved to inoperative position;

Fig. 5 is a top plan view illustrating ther invention used with the closure partially open.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary, sectional view through the vsupporting lugs showing the. retaining bolt f The invention will be best understood by a refslightly enlarged,`

swinging across center to inoperative position.l

Fig. 7 is a perspective View of the latch plate used in the invention.

Fig. 8 is a plan View of the blank vfrom which the latch plate is made.

, In the drawing, I have illustrated the invention associated with a door or swingable closure I4 swingable relatively to a stationary part I5. The invention comprises a plate It having an elongated slot-formed inwardly from one end thereof,

the side walls `I'I and I8 of this slo-t being struck the plate I6 is slitted along the lines 2li and' 2l and a portion of the center'tongue 22 -is cut away `to provide the oppositelydisposed side tongues 23 and 24, which extend beyondA the end of the center tongue 22. These side tongues 23 and 24 are pressed outwardly and curved, as shown in v Fig. 7. The 'slotted end ofthe plate Hi is also curved outwardly in the vsame direction, as are the tongues 23 and 24. Openings 25 are formed in the plate' I6 vthrough which screws or other suitable fastening means may be projected for securing the plate I6 to the swingable' closure Ill. Secured by screws or in anyother suitable fastening manner tothe stationaryy part I5 is a plate 21 projecting outwardly from which are the spaced lugs 28 and 29 between which is pivoted by means of the pin 30 one end of a retaining bolt or bar. This bolt or bar is formed trough-shape with side walls 33 and 34 projecting outwardly from a bottom 32 which forms the back or outer side of the bar or bolt. These side walls are cut away toward the forward'end ofthe bar or bolt and 'at their rearward ends they are provided with lslots 35, the slots in the opposite side walls being in alignment. The pin 30' projects through'these slots. Punched inwardly from` the bottom` 32 is a` `tongue 36 to which lone end of a spring 31 is attached, the opposite end thereof being secured tothe pin 3Q so that the spring normally tends to maintain this bolt or barthrust. rearwardly so `thatthe y pin 30 is in engagement with the center of the slots l35. Projected laterally outwardly from oppositeends from the forward Aendsof this bar or bolt are the arms 38 and ,39 which provide a cross-head of substantially the same diameter as .the arc on which the tongues 23 and 2li are struck. y

As clearly shown in Fig. 1, the bar or arm tapers abruptly at its rear end to provide a portion of considerably Aless width than the remaining portion. This narrowed portion of the bar or arm is of such width that it may freely pass through the constricted portion I9 of the slot in the plate I6. The end of the slot which is wider is of such width that the thicker portion of the bar or bolt may freely slide therein.

When the parts are mounted in the relative operative position shown in Fig. 1 the lock bar may be swung on its pivot and when it is moved longitudinally against the tension of the spring until the pin 30 is in engagement with the rear end of the slots 35 the narrowed portion. A of the lock bar may freely pass -downwardly through the narrowed portion of the slot formed in the plate I6 and after passage through this slot a release of the longitudinal thrust on the lock bar or bolt will permit the spring 36 to move the lock bar or bolt rearwardly until the pin 30 engages the forward ends of the slots 35. In this way, the position shown in Fig. 2 is arrived at. When in this position, the narrowed portion A is moved rearwardly so that the wider portion of the bar is engaging in the slot. Consequently, a swinging outwardly of the bar on its pivot is prevented so that when the structure is in the form shown in Fig. 2 undue opening of the closure cannot be effected by thrusting an article through the space Z3 between I the swingable closure M and the stationary part I5. When the device is in the position shown in Fig. 2, upon a swinging of the closure I4 to open position, the plate I6 will ride along the bar or bolt until the arms 38 and 39 engage the angularly turned portions of the plate I6 whereupon further swinging of the closure will be prevented. In this manner, the ldevice will be used to permit the swinging of the closure to open position a predetermined distance and denitely limiting its swinging movement to this predetermined distance.

From the position shown in Fig. 2 the bar or bolt may be moved longitudinally against thev tension of the spring 36 until the pin 3B is enf gaging the rear end ofthe slots 35 and thenv y shown in Fig. 2.

Thus the device serves to eiectively lock the closure against swinging movement from fully closed position and also locksv the closure against Swinging movement to open position after it has been swung a certain distance. With a device of this kind, it thus becomes possibile to open` a door a slight distance suicient to permit conversation and observation through the slightly opened door, while preventing entrance of a persons body through the partly opened door.

It will be noted that the bar or arm is so pivoted on the tongues 28 and 29 that when swung into vertical position in moving` to the position shown in Fig. 4, the bar or arm would have to be moved longitudinally against the compression of the spring in order to pass center. Consequently, when thisy bar or arm is swung into position shown in Fig. 4, accidental swinging of thearm accidentally shown in Fig. is prevented, so thatv it lis not possible for the device' to Aaccidentally lock a person out of a room by swinging l` accidentally into position shown in Fig. 2.

The device, in addition to being durable and cheaply manufactured, as well as attaining all of the advantages enumerated, is one which lends 1. A device oi the class described adapted for luse with a swingable closure mounted adjacent a stationary part; a plate mounted on said swingable part and comprising; a pair of spaced members projecting outwardly ofl said swingable part adjacent one end of -said plate, the spacey separating said members being constrictedtoward the outer end thereof; a latch bolt pivotally mounted adjacent one end to said stationary part and having a narrowed portion adjacent its pivoted end or suiciently small dimension for passage through the constricted portion of' said space, the remaining portion. of said latch bolt constricted portion of said space and freely slideable in said space below the constricted portion; and abutment means for engaging said spacedapart members upon swinging oi said closure the length of said bolt. l

2. A device of the class described adaptedliior use with a swingable closure mounted adjacent a stationary part; a plate mounted on said swingable part and comprising; a-pair ofspaced' members projecting outwardly of said swingable part adjacent one end of said plate, the space separating said members being constrictedv toward the outer end thereof; a latch bolty pivotally mounted adjacent one end to ysaid' stationary part and having a Inarrowed portion adjacent its pivoted end of sufficiently small dimension for passage through the constricted portion of said space, the remaining portion of said latch bolt vbeing of greater ywidth than the vwidth ofv the constricted portion of said space and freely Slideable in said space below the constrictedportion; abutment meansfor engaging.. said spaced-v apart members upon swinging of said closure: the length of said bolt; and means on said closure engageable with the free end of' said bolt for preventing swinging of said bolt on rits pivot.`

3. A device of the class described adapted 'for use with a swingable closure mounted adjacent a stationary part: a plate mounted on "said swingable part land. comprising; a pair of`sp'a'ced' members projecting outwardly of said swingableg part adjacent one end of said plate, the space separating said members being constrictedI toward the outer end thereof; a latch bolt pivotally mounted adjacentv one end to said stationary part and having a narrowed portion adjacentiit's pivoted end of sufficiently small dimension for passage through the co-nstricted portion of said space, the remaining portion of -said latch boltl 3o. being of greater widththan the width of the constricted passage.

of said bolt; and meanscarried by'l'said plate engageable with said abutment means lupon the movement of said closureto closed position for preventing swinging of saidbolt on its pivot.

4. A device ci the class described, adapted for use with a swingable closurefm'o-unted adjacent a stationary part, comprising: 'a plate mounted on the face of said closure; a pair of spaced members adjacent onev end of said plate projecting outwardly therefrom, the space between said members converging toward the outer ends thereof to provide at the outer ends a constricted' passage; an arm pivotally mounted at one end on said stationary part and provided adjacent its pivoted endwith a narrowed portion adapted for passage through said constricted pas; sage, the swinging of said closure to open position effecting aj travel of said spaced members longi-y tudinally of said arm, the wider'portion of said arm riding inthe wider portion of said space; and means carried by the free 'end of said arm engageable with said members for limiting slideable movement of saidmembers alongsaid' arm inione direction. f f

5. Adevice of the class described, adapted for use with a swingable closure vmounted adjacent a stationary part,'comprising:' a plate mounted on the face of said closure; a pair of spaced members adjacent one end of said plate projecting outwardly therefrom, the` space between said members converging toward outerends thereof to provide at the outer ends a constricted passage; anarrn pivotally mounted atone end on said stationary part and provided adjacent its pivoted end with a narrowed portion adapted for passage through said constricted passage, the swinging of said closure to open position effecting a travel of said spaced members longitudinally of said arm, the wider portion of said arm riding in the wider portion of said space; means carried by the free end of said arm engageable with said members for limiting slideable movement of said members along said arm in one direction; and means for normally retaining said narrowed portion out of registration. with said constricted passage subsequent to the passage of saidnarrowed portion through said constricted passage.

6. A device of the class described, adapted for use with a swingable closure mounted adjacent a stationary part, comprising: a plate mounted on the face of said swingable closure; a pair of spaced projections extending outwardly from one end of said plate, the space between said members converging toward the outerl end thereof vto provide a constricted passage between said members adjacent the outer ends thereof; a bar pivotally mounted adjacent one end on. said stationary part and adapted for swinging into overlying relation with said closure, said bar having adjacent its pivoted end a narrowed portion adapted for passing through the constricted passage, said bar being longitudinally moveable relatively to its'pvot a predetermined distance for bringing said narrowed portion into registration with said 7. A device of the class described, adapted for use with a swingable closure mount-ed adjacent a stationary part, comprising: a plate mounted on the face of said swingable closure; a pair of spaced projections extending outwardly from one end of said plate, the space between said members converging toward the outer end thereof to provide a constricted passage between said members adjacent the outer ends thereof; a bar pivotally mounted adjacent one end on said stationary part with saidclosure, said bar having adjacent .its pivoted' end a'` narrowed portion adapted for passing `through the constricted passage, saidbar beinglongitudinally` moveable relatively to its pivot a predetermined distance for bringing said narrowed'vportion into registration with said constricted passage; and l resilientl means for.v normally retaining said bar moved into position for retaining said narrowed portion out of registration with said constricted passage.

' v8. In a device of the class described, a lock-bar member; a lug on said lock-bar member; a bar having an elongated slot adjacent one end; apin projected through said slot and through said lug for pivotally mounting said bar on said lock, said par being longitudinally moveable on its pivot the iength of said slot; a spring associated with said bar fornormally maintaining said bar moved to a predetermined longitudinal position relatively to its pivot, said bar upon swinging cn its pivot past 90 degrees engaging at its end said lock-bar and moveable against the tension of said spring.

9. A device of the class described, adapted -for use with a swingable closure mounted adjacent a stationary part, ycomprising: a plate mounted on said swingable closure; a pair of spaced members projecting outwardly from adjacent one end of said plate, the space between said members converging toward the outer ends thereof to provide a constricted portion; a bar pivotally mountedA 10. A device of the class described, adapted forI use with a swingable closure mounted adjacent a stationary part, comprising: a plate mounted on said closure; a pair of spaced projections extending outwardly from said plate; a bar pivotally mounted adjacent one end on said stationary part and swingable to lie in the space between said members; a cross head in the free end of the said bar engageable with said members upon a swinging of 'said closure a predetermined distance; and stationary means carried by said closure engageable with said cross-head for lockand adapte'dl-for swinging-intoioverlying relation ing said bar against the swingable movement vupon attempted swinging of said closure.

l1. A device of theclass described, adapted for use with a swingable closure mounted adjacent a stationary part, comprising: a plate mounted on said closure; a pair of spaced projections extending outwardly from said plate; a bar pivotally mounted adjacent one end on said stationary part and swingable to lie -in the space between said members and longitudinally movable a predetermined distance relative to its pivot; a crosshead in the free end of said bar engageable with said projections upon a swinging of said closure a predetermined distance; abutment means carried by the opposite end of said plate, said crosshead being engageablev with said abutment means; kupon longitudinal movement of said bar a predetermined distance in one direction, for preventing a swingable movement of said bar upon attempted swinging movement of said closure.

12. A device of the class described, adapted for use with a swingable closure mounted adjacent a stationary part, comprising: a plate mounted on said closure; a pair of spaced projections extending outwardly from said plate; a barpivotally mounted. adjacent one end on said stationary part and. swingable to. Alie in the space between said members and longitudinally movable a predetermined distance relative to its pivots; a crosshead in the free end of said bar engageable with said projections upon a swinging of said closure a predetermined distance; abutment means. carried by the opposite end of said plate, said crosshead being engageable with said abutment means, upon longitudinal movement of said bar a predetermined distance in one direction, for preventing a swingable movement of said bar upon attempted swinging movement of said closure;

and resilient means normally resisting longitudinal movement of said bar.

13A device ci tbe class described adapted for use with a swingable closure mounted adjacent a stationary part and comprising: a plate mounted on said closure; one end of said plate being slotted and turned outwardly to provide a pair of spaced projections extending outwardly from said end of said plate; a bar pivotally mounted, adjacent one end, on said stationary part and adapted for swinging into overlying relation with said plate and engaging between said projections; abutment means on the free end of said bar, engageable with said projections for preventing open swinging of said swingable closure beyond a predetermined distance; engagenient means Ton the opposite end of said plate engageable, upon swinging of said closure to closed position, with said abutment means for securing said bar Vagainst swingable movement and preventing the open swinging of said closure.

14. A device of the class described adapt-ed for use with a swingable closure mounted adjacent a stationary partY and comprising:v a plate mounted on said closure, one end of said plate being slotted and turned outwardly to provide a pair of spaced projections extending outwardly from said end. of said plate; a bar pivotally mounted, adjacent one end, on said stationary part and adapted for swinging into overlying relation with said plate and engaging between said projections; abutment means on the lfree end of said bar, engageable with said projections for preventing open swinging of said swingable closure beyond a predetermined distance; an outwardly turned tongue on the opposite end of said plate and engageable, upon swinging of said closure to closed position, by said abutment means for securing said bar against swingable movement and preventing the swinging of said closure, said bar being iongitudinally moveablejin one direction into engagement with said tongue; and a spring for resisting longitudinali movement of said bar into engagement with said tongue and retaining said bar in engagement with saidtongue 

